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Man Mistakenly Arrested For Child Pornography Demands Public Apology

A Virginia man was arrested for possession of child pornography, but it turns out that police made a huge mistake.

Last week, Norfolk, Virginia, police arrested Ryan Kilgore at his workplace, claiming that he was in possession of child pornography.

"They asked if they could see a manager," said Kilgore. "So, I went to get my service manager."

Kilgore was then called into his manager's office. Police confirmed his identity and told him he was under arrest for the production and possession of child pornography.

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He was shocked and told police that the claim was ridiculous and he had no idea what was going on.

As it turns out, he was right. Police detained the wrong person.

Police asked Kilgore's manager for a Ryan Fultz, but the manager sent them Ryan Kilgore. The man they were actually looking for did formerly work at the business, however.

Kilgore said he was terrified.

"I had no idea what was going to happen," he said. "I see al[l] the time people are accused of this. They get put into the system and their lives are completely destroyed."

Norfolk police stated that Kilgore was never officially under arrest, although they allegedly told him he was during the incident. They maintain that he was in detention as they were still sorting out the details.

Kilgore said that as he sat in handcuffs waiting for a car to bring him down to the police station, he heard the officer next to him say over the radio, "We have Ryan Fultz in custody."

He told the officer, "That's not me."

Officers looked at his ID, realized their mistake and let him go.

“I want to know how they could make such a ridiculous mistake,” Kilgore said. “They had Fultz’s picture on the piece of paper. They showed me it later. This was a 21-year-old kid who is half my size. How can you mistake that for me?”

The incident took place on June 23, 2015. On July 2, police say Fultz was arrested for the possession of child pornography and obscene material.

Kilgore hired an attorney and sent a letter to city officials to let them know that he planned to sue the police department. Kilgore said he isn't asking for money, but is seeking a public apology.